Collins Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., has been selected by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to upgrade its fleet of U-2 Dragon Lady aircraft with HF-9087D High Frequency (HF) radios. With a primary mission of reconnaissance, the U-2 will gain the ability to securely transfer Command and Control (C2) data in real-time over HF while still maintaining reliable, clear voice communications beyond line of sight.

U-2 Dragon Lady (Picture source: US Air Force)

“In contested environments, HF communications continue to be a reliable backbone to ensure mission success with a low operating cost,” said Troy Brunk, vice president and general manager, Communication, Navigation and Guidance Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “The U-2’s upgraded HF will provide robust long-range digital communications capabilities to this platform.”

Since 1933, Collins Aerospace has been a leader in HF technology. The company is a supplier of HF systems for the USAF’s High Frequency Global Communications System (HFGCS) and provides HF communications on nearly all airlift, tanker and bomber assets used in the Department of Defense today.